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BizBash Live

BizBash Live is the largest one-day gathering of event organizers held annually in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and South Florida. Attendees gain inspiration from the top names in events through the Event Innovation Forum, the Workshop Series, hundreds of exhibits, and more.

1. GOLDEN GLOBES HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS: The high-profile kickoff to award season did not go smoothly, starting even before the show when a sprinkler flooded the red carpet outside the Beverly Hilton hotel. Staff furiously vacuumed up the water, but the carpet was still damp when arrivals started. Ryan Seacrest memorably tweeted, “Could be bad for long gowns.” Hollywood Reporter: http://bit.ly/1dintDX Meanwhile, the show itself had several teleprompter snafus, and censors were kept busy excising swear words. Here are the 10 weirdest moments from the broadcast, according to the New York Post: http://bit.ly/1dinGa5 Finally, hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler drew mostly raves as the evening’s co-hosts. Watch highlights of their bits at New York’s Vulture blog: http://vult.re/1hhFRgK Visit BizBash.com for West Coast editor Alice Dubin’s inside look at the evening’s after-parties.

2. HOW FESTIVALS FUEL ECONOMIC GROWTH: BizBash editor at large Chad Kaydo, writing for Governing, explores how cities are using cultural events as a way to spur short-term tourism. From the success story of South By Southwest in Austin, Texas, to the new Great Chicago Fire Festival this fall, such events can shape “an image of the host city as a cool, dynamic location where companies and citizens in modern, creative industries can thrive.” http://bit.ly/1j3dshA

3. STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ALERT FOR SOCHI OLYMPICS: Ahead of the Sochi Olympics in Russia next month, the State Department issued a travel alert cautioning Americans about terrorism and the country’s new antigay laws. Politico: “In addition to issuing general travel precautions, the department also warns that the medical infrastructure in Sochi is untested on a large scale and that events such as the Olympics are ‘attractive targets’ for terrorism. This warning follows several violent attacks in the country since October that raised questions about the overall safety of the Sochi games.” http://politi.co/KUFYUa

* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Bizzabo, a networking platform for event organizers and attendees, has now integrated Eventbrite and Etouches, an event management platform, into its system. The new features will allow organizers to connect their Eventbrite or Etouches registration system with Bizzabo in order to send customized, automated emails to attendees as soon as they register.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: On January 30, the Boston Center for Adult Education will offer a class on creating a Downton Abbey-style dinner party.

CHICAGO: The Barrel of Monkeys will host its annual fund-raiser, the Big Prom, at the Drucker Center on March 29. The event will have a (rather unique) “Space Horses in Space” theme.

LAS VEGAS: Smart City Networks announced that the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and Virginia Beach Convention Center have both renewed their contracts for telecommunications and Internet services for trade shows and events.

LOS ANGELES: The International Salon & Spa Expo will take to the Long Beach Convention Center January 26-27.

VentureBeat: “Activision and Microsoft are teaming up again for the second annual Call of Duty Championship. The two companies announced plans for the major event, which will take place March 28-March 30 in Los Angeles. The tournament touts a $1 million prize pool, and the 32 best teams around the world shall fight for a chance to take home as much of that money as possible.” http://bit.ly/1a7GKGV

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Tri-Rail’s Rail Fun Day, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, is January 25 at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport Station at Dania Beach. The free event will include an appearance by Tri-Rail mascot Conductor George Green, food trucks, games from South Florida Parenting, giveaways, and Tri-Rail’s South Florida’s Kids Got Talent, a singing competition.

NEW YORK: On Saturday, the New Yorker Hotel and the Tesla Science Foundation hosted the second annual Tesla Memorial Conference, which included the Tesla Spirits Awards Benefit.

ORLANDO: Patricia Engfer is the new vice president and general manager of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.

TORONTO: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra will host a special Chinese New Year Concert to celebrate the Year of the Horse on February 3. A gala package includes a preshow reception and a post-show dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Metro Toronto Convention Centre has appointed Global Experience Specialists as its official general service contractor for a new five-year term.

WASHINGTON: President Obama will meet with members of the Miami Heat Tuesday at the White House to honor the team on winning a second straight championship title. While at the White House, the team will visit wounded warriors from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

A viewing party for the Screen Actors Guild awards is scheduled for January 18 at the Embassy of Croatia. SAG member Bruce McBarnette is hosting the event.